President Aquino and MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim during the launching of the ‘Sajahatra Bangsamoro’ on Monday, February 11, 2013. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Mark Navales)
SULTAN KUDARAT (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 11, 2013) – President Benigno Aquino and Muslim rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim led the launching Monday of a socio-economic initiative aimed at uplifting the livelihood conditions of Muslim communities in the southern Philippines.
Aquino was accompanied by his Cabinet officials led by Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles to the town of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao province, a stronghold of Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels now negotiating peace with the government.
Security was tight throughout the launching of “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” with army soldiers and rebels guarding the site where the event was held. Hundreds of Muslim villagers flocked to the area to witness the historic event, one journalist was covering Aquino’s visit said.
“It was really a historic visit and everybody was so happy that finally the government is now putting attention and efforts to uplift the condition of Muslims in this part of the country. I saw rebels and soldiers guarding the venue and there is this atmosphere of camaraderie and brotherhood and imagine from former foes, now they are peace brothers,” Mark Navales, bureau chief for the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, said.
He said the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, which literally means “Peace Bangsamoro,” is also aimed at uplifting the health and education of MILF communities in the Muslim autonomous region which comprises Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur province, including the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
During his visit, Aquino distributed health insurance, college scholarships and technical vocation training, including education assistance to Islamic schools, among other government programs for the poor.
Aquino said his goal is to accelerate the transition of MILF communities, steeped in armed struggle, to a productive citizenry that buys into the national agenda, and contributes to shared goal of equitable progress.
He said the peace negotiations is moving forward unhindered by secrecy and manipulation, and propelled by solidarity towards the shared goal of empowering every Filipino in the Muslim autonomous region.
Aquino’s visit was the first of any Philippine president to a rebel stronghold to launch peace and development projects.
In October, Aquino invited Ebrahim to the Presidential Palace to witness the signing of the Framework on the Bangsamoro Agreement which shall replace the current Muslim autonomous region.
Under the accord, the government and the rebel group would intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction of poverty-stricken Muslim communities and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants and war refugees, according to Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte.
“Even before a peace agreement is signed, you will see that it’s about providing the social services to the MILF and to the Moros in Mindanao because of the Framework Agreement. It shows also the sincerity of both sides as a continuity to talk and to finalize the annexes in the Framework Agreement,” Valte said.
Mike Pasigan, the MILF spokesman for Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, told the Philippine Information Agency that the head of their peace panel Mohagher Iqbal has also affirmed the partnership of the parties in Sajahatra Bangsamoro.
“Both sides have been working together in identifying and designing the projects that will address the immediate needs of Bangsamoro communities. The program will further strengthen the collaboration between the government and the MILF as we build on the gains of the peace process. We believe that Sajahatra Bangsamoro is a step towards long-term development that will benefit not only the Bangsamoro people but all Filipinos,” Iqbal said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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